John Michaels
IVN Contributing Writer
The Illinois Valley High School girls basketball team had a frustrating week, suffering three losses while hosting a pair of Valley Coast Conference games and traveling for a single league game in basketball last week. The Lady Cougars sit at 3-19 for the year right now with a 2-12 VCC mark. I.V. was fairly competitive at home, but was overmatched on the road against #21 Waldport.
The week started of with a lopsided 40-15 loss to the Irish in Waldport on Monday. I.V. fell behind 17-0 at the end of one quarter. The second quarter was not much better as the Lady Cougars were held to a solitary field goal by Jessame Pope and a single free throw from Evalynn Guzman while Waldport extended their lead to 24-3.
The Irish built the lead up to 39-9 heading into the final quarter before giving its bench plenty of run in the final quarter.
Pope and Shelby Reed each scored six points for I.V. Kava Rose registered a field goal and Guzman was held to her second quarter free throw.
On Friday, the Lady Cougars were done in by a lousy third quarter in a 39-34 home loss to the Toledo Boomers. I.V. dropped behind the visitors 11-8 after one quarter, only to rally in the second quarter to tie the game at 18-18 going into the intermission.
However, the Boomers went on a 13-6 run right after the half, grabbing a 31-24 advantage going into the final eight minutes. I.V. battled in the final quarter, but was unable to overcome the seven-point deficit.
Pope was the game’s high scorer pouring in 19 points on the night. Guzman chipped in eight points. Reed added four on the evening while Carlotta Bosse finished with 3.
The Lady Cougars most productive offensive game of the week came on Saturday at home against Reedsport. Unfortunately, it was also their worst defensive game of the week as well as IV dropped a 50-41 decision to the Brave.
A poor first half may have doomed I.V. Although the Lady Cougars hit double figures in three of the four quarters against Reedsport, they only managed five points in the second quarter, and found themselves in a 30-15 hole at the break. The Brave added another point to the lead and had a 41-25 lead after three. I.V. rallied in the final quarter, outpacing the Brave 16-9, but the 15 point halftime deficit was too much to overcome.
Guzman scored 14 points to pace the Illinois Valley. Pope added 12 for the Lady Cougars, while Bosse chipped in nine in one of her best offensive performances of the year. Kaleigh Box registered four points and Reed finished off the I.V. ledger with two points.
The Cougars conclude their season with a pair of Valley Coast Conference games this week. I.V. hosts the 19th-ranked Oakland Oakers Tuesday. On
Thursday, play their season finale when they travel to Halsey to take on the No. 16 Central Linn Cobras.